Part 4 (1/2)

FIFTY CENTS A YEAR AND SIGNATURE TO OUR PLEDGE CONSt.i.tUTE MEMBERs.h.i.+P.

As the months come round, take the envelope bearing the name of that month, put in the amount pledged, and deposit it as directed by the person circulating these cards.

If you have neglected any month the empty envelope will remind you of it. Don't destroy it--use it--put in the money and deposit it.

The LORD loveth a cheerful giver.

Committee on Literature will secure suitable temperance literature, and distribute it in hotels, cars, reading-rooms, depots, stores, restaurants, at public meetings, from house to house, etc.

Committee on Juvenile work should be composed largely of young ladies enthusiastic in their work. There should be a representative secured, if possible, from every Sabbath and day school. They will organize Bands of Hope and circulate the pledges (triple, if possible), in the Sunday Schools. They will also see to the introduction of temperance books into Sunday School Libraries.

Committee on Public Meetings and Entertainments will arrange for lectures, readings, concerts, temperance ma.s.s meetings and gospel temperance meetings on Sabbath afternoons, mothers' meetings, cottage prayer meetings, etc. At very many of these meetings it is desirable to have the pledge circulated.

Committee on New Members will endeavor to secure new members for the Union, and will also visit those who may have been absent for some time.

Committee on Benevolent work will look after the poor of the town, especially after those families suffering from the effects of intemperance. Where there are purely benevolent societies in the town, the work of this committee will be only supplementary.

Press Committee will select extracts from temperance books and papers, to be published regularly in the columns of the local papers, also to specially report the work of the W.C.T.U. both local and general. If the committee cannot itself reach the newspaper, perhaps it can through the aid of some influential _honorary member._

Committee on Scientific Instruction in Temperance will visit school directors, and authorities in public and private schools, and urge the introduction of Dr. Richardson's lesson book, or the new temperance lesson book to be issued by the Education Department of Ontario. Suitable literature on the subject might be judiciously used on these visits. An informal social reception of teachers in the town might be held or arranged for by this committee where the subject might be discussed.

Committee to secure the unfermented juice of the grape at the Lord's Table will visit not only the pastors, but influential leading members of the different churches, not to argue the matter, but to ask, as the N.W.C.T.U. does, that ”in deference to the Golden Rule, and the Pauline doctrine of regard for the weaker brother, the fermented wine be no longer used.” Suitable literature on this subject, as on all others, may be had from our Literature Department.

Committee on Coffee and Reading Rooms will, if desirable, provide a place of this kind, putting it in charge of a suitable person.

Other committees may be added as the work demands. Let each committee read up and thoroughly understand their subject, the convener especially should know _just what she wants,_ as she goes about this branch of the work, and be able to tell _just why it is needed._ This will, in the first place, be a gain.

Politicians, potentates, and preachers will not be able to put us off or confuse us by asking many questions in connection with the work that we are unable to give.

CHAPTER VIII.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Q.--Why should our Union be auxiliary to the Provincial Union?

A.--We are convinced that the affiliation fee and the reasons for requiring it have not been properly understood by our Unions. They have said, Why should we pay 6-1/4 cents per member, quarterly, into the Provincial Union fund. We answer, Because without it the Provincial Union could not exist.

Q.--Why should it exist?

A.--Because there is strength in united effort. If local Unions here and there in isolated places exert an influence for good, a large band of workers sending their representatives to a central place to consult together and devise method? for the extension of the work throughout the Province will certainly wield a greater power, and do more good. All our church organizations, our various charitable and reform a.s.sociations are based on this principle, and the wisest politicians a.s.sure us that system and organization is worth more to their party than argument or brilliant speeches. Union is strength.

As the delegates from local Unions come together to discuss matters of interest pertaining to the work, to devise plans and to compare notes, a new confidence is gained, a more enlarged view is had of the temperance field, and a more intelligent understanding of the general need. Then, too, it is impossible for the workers thus to come together without realizing the benefit that results from the interchange of thought and ideas, and from the influence of mind on mind, and the inspiration thus received is imparted by them to the home Unions, and all are helped.

Q.--What is done with the money?

A.--In 1883, $95 were paid into the Provincial Treasury of Ontario Unions, by local Unions, as affiliation fees, which sum covered merely the postage account of general officers and expenses of committees. All other expenses of travel and of the convention, about $200, were met by collections at the convention, and by special contributions, Mr. Gordon of Ottawa sending a cheque for $50.

We need also an _organizer,_ who shall be able to give her whole time and thought to Union work, who shall organize new Unions, and visit all regularly. These needs cannot be met without money, but if our thousands of temperance women in Canada will make this a personal matter to see that 6-1/4 cents are sent each quarter to the Provincial Union, we shall soon be in a position to employ an organizer, and thus do better work.